Heat rise to subdue Hurricanes

The Brisbane Heat made up for yesterday’s defeat with a win at Launceston against Hobart Hurricanes. At the halfway stage there was a hint of déjà vu. The Heat wasn’t going to make it so easy for the Hurricanes today as they won by 58 runs.

Again, the Heat batted first; the openers Grace Harris and Beth Mooney got their side off to the perfect start. The pair added 56 for the first wicket from 45 balls. Both fell in the eighth over as Heather Knight was brought into the attack. Mooney the second of those was run out with a direct hit from Corrine Hall.

As happened yesterday the Hurricanes fielded well and were able to drag themselves back into the game. Wickets fell in clusters for the Heat. Meg Phillips took two wickets in her final over to finish with figures of 3 for 22.

Josie Dooley at the back end of the innings was either able to find the boundary or rotate the strike. Dooley scored 13 from Jemma Barsby’s final over to finish on 44 not out from 30 balls. It helped the Heat to finish on 8 for 138.

Stef Daffara was promoted to open in the absence of Erin Fazackerley. It was a struggle for the Hurricanes in the powerplay as they lost three wickets including two of their overseas internationals. Firstly, Smriti Mandhana trying to dab down to third-man was caught behind.

The wicket of Heather Knight who was run out seemed to effect Mikayla Hinkley in particular. It would again require a partnership between Hall and Hinkley. It wasn’t to be as Mooney took a second sharp catch behind the stumps to see off Hall.

Sasha Moloney looked busy and rotated the strike with Georgia Redmayne both fell in the same Sammy-Jo Johnson over to leave the Hurricanes 7 for 62 in the thirteenth over. With those wickets went any hope of the Hurricanes winning a second game in as many days.

All the Heat bowlers took wickets as the Hurricanes were bowled out for just 80. Johnson, Jess Jonassen and Jemma Barsby took two wickets each. Grace Harris may have only taken one wicket but her three overs only went for 8 runs.

It is a result that effectively ends any chance of the Hurricanes qualifying for the Semi-finals. The Heat though will be confident that they can finish in the top four, although, things are tight at the top.